HKU Special Principal’s Nomination Scheme for Young Scientist Scheme
(HKU SPN for YSS) in 6901 BSc Programme - opening the door of early research experiences to talented Science students

16 May 2017

The Young Scientist Scheme (YSS) within the 6901 BSc Programme was launched in 2016-17 by the Faculty of Science (the Faculty) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to provide outstanding undergraduate students with ample early research experiences. Of the 27 students admitted last year, 17 were from JUPAS with a score of 31 or above for their best 5 HKDSE subjects.

With the success of the first year of YSS, and in order not to leave out those exceptionally talented science students who do not perform equally strong in non-science subjects, the Faculty has set up a new HKU Special Principal’s Nomination Scheme for YSS (HKU SPN for YSS) in 6901 BSc Programme in the coming academic year 2017-18. The Scheme is separate from the JUPAS School Principal’s Nominations (JUPAS SPN) and nominations to YSS will not be counted towards the JUPAS SPN quota.

School principals are invited to nominate their talented science students to the Scheme. Nominees will be interviewed and conditional offers to YSS will be made by the end of June and before the announcement of the HKDSE results. A student with a conditional offer for admission to YSS under this Scheme will be admitted to YSS provided that he/she has put BSc 6901 as one of his/her Band A JUPAS choices in the final programme reprioritization, is admitted to BSc 6901, has obtained 5** in two or more Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science, Integrated Science, Core Mathematics, M1, or M2) and with a total score of 30 or above in their best 5 HKDSE subjects (Category A subjects and M1/M2) in the 2017 HKDSE.

Meanwhile, same as last year, other JUPAS students admitted to BSc 6901 with a total score of 31 or above in their best 5 HKDSE subjects (Category A subjects and M1/M2) will continue to be admitted to YSS automatically, while Non-JUPAS applicants will be invited to enroll in YSS individually.

Students admitted to YSS are guaranteed with the following opportunities:

Enrolment in our flagship Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) Scheme to conduct research under the supervision of our professors in the first summer

A further SRF or an Overseas Research Fellowship (ORF) in a foreign institution in a subsequent year

International exchange, visiting or summer study at a renowned overseas university

Attendance to an international scientific conference on frontier research

Guidance from a research mentor individually from the start of the undergraduate study

Enrolment in Frontiers of Science Honours Seminar to learn how our award-winning professors solve their research problems

An entrance scholarship ranging from HKD 15,000 to HKD40,000#

Stipends for research activities

# Scholarship for Non-JUPAS students are considered on a case-by-case basis.

An information talk on 6901 Bachelor of Science Programme and an Information Session on Young Scientist Scheme (YSS) – Pathway to Research were held today (May 16) to provide more information to prospective students. Photos of the information sessions can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.scifac.hku.hk/news/media?page=1

For press enquiry, please contact Ms Cindy Chan, Senior Communication Manager of Faculty of Science, on 3917-5286/ 6703-0212 or by email at cindycst@hku.hk.